20 Reasons to Check Out the Central Library at 20 Years

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May 1

Central Library exterior construction from 4th Ave. and Madison St., May 23, 2003. Photograph by Lara Swimmer

When The Seattle Public Library's Central Library opened its doors on May 23, 2004, more than 25,000 people lined. up in the course of the day to experience Seattle's striking new public space for knowledge and learning. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, it was called "the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review" by the New York Times' late architectural critic Herbert Muschamp.

Twenty years later, Seattle's iconic glass-and-steel library is still visited by more than 1,500 people a day to read and play in the Children's Center; take photos on the Red Floor; explore its many collections; practice in a music room; take in an art exhibit; enjoy heartstopping views; visit the Seattle Room; attend an author event; get help from staff; and enjoy many other free services and programs.

Once called the world's most "Instagrammable" library, the Central Library has earned its reputation as a beloved Seattle landmark not just for its design, but as a literary and artistic home for Seattle, and a neighborhood library branch for those who live and work downtown.

This May, the Library invites all of Seattle to celebrate the Central Library's past, present and future with programs including an author program, free public tours and a special display. We also invite you to stop by any day of the week – the Central Library is open seven days a week -- to discover something new about your 11-floor, 363,000-foot downtown library.

Learn about the Central Library from the photographer who documented it: On Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m., architectural photographer Lara Swimmer, who published a book on the Central Library's construction, will share her acclaimed new book "Reading Room: New and Reimagined Libraries of the American West." Largely through photographs, "Reading Room" documents a generation of regional libraries that are redefining public space in the 21st century. Of the Central Library, Swimmer writes that it "remains an iconic example of the modern library's ability to pivot and become a curator of information and community." Registration is required.
Central Library interior construction looking north from 9th floor, July 16, 2003. Photograph by Lara Swimmer
Take a free public tour. For three days around the 20th anniversary, on May 23, 24 and 25, docents with expertise in the Central Library will give six one-hour public tours of the building. They will focus on everything from structure and design to history and functions of the 11-story, 363,000 square foot building. You can register on the Library's event calendar at www.spl.org/calendar.
Visit a mini-exhibit about the Central Library: Curious about the Central Library's history? Visit a mini exhibit in the Level 3 Living Room space to learn about the building's architecture and history. It includes photographs of the Central Library's construction by architectural photographer Lara Swimmer from the Seattle Room's collections, as well as models of the current and past Central Library and other information.
Photographs of the Central Library's construction by Lara Swimmer are on display in the Living Room.
Get inspired at another author or community event. The Central Library's 275-seat auditorium hosts amazing author and community events every month. May highlights include a May 11 event with Satsuki Ina about her new book "The Poet and the Silk Girl, a memoir about Japanese American incarceration and resistance; Atlantic writer Zoe Schlanger on May 14, discussing her groundbreaking new book "The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth"; and an event with Amy Tan about her new book "The Backyard Bird Chronicles"on May 29.
The Faye G. Allen's Children's Center
Cozy up in the Children's Center. Bring the small ones in your life to the light-filled, 15,000 square foot Faye G. Allen's Children's Center on Level 1, a library within a library. Kids can attend a weekly story time, browse books, play with toys, look at colorful artwork such as Mandy Greer's Babe the Blue Ox and get help finding titles from our children's librarians and staff.
Explore our World Language collections: Find books and materials in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and many other languages in the World Languages section on Level 1. The Library collects materials in 18 languages!
Use a courtesy phone: No phone service? No problem. On Level 1, visitors without a mobile phone can use one of the two courtesy phones near the LEAP Lab, which coordinates accessible Library programs, services and assistive resources.
Shop for gifts and support the library. Stock up on wonderful literary-themed gifts and gently used books at the FriendShop, on Level 3, near the Fifth Avenue entrance. The gift shop uses compact shelving, so the store closes into a cube and locks up when closed.
Find your next read: Head to the Reader Services Desk, in the center of the soaring Living Room space on Level 3, for expert advice from a Library staff member and customized book recommendations. Drop into a Living Room chair for a quick chapter; you can also time your visit to hear a cello concert from artist in residence Gretchen Yanover.
The Teen Center on Level 3
Explore the Teen Center: Drop by the friendly Teen Center on Level 3, an area reserved for young people to study, play games, read or just hang out. Every week, our teen librarians host a Drop-In for young people to connect to each other and to the Library.
Find the hidden octopus mural: See if you can spy a colorful mural near the stairs to the Red Floor featuring an octopus and a bookshelf. You'll definitely want to snap a shelfie. This is just one of the many intriguing art pieces displayed at the Central Library, and woven into its design.
The stairs on the Red Floor that lead to the Mixing Chamber
13 shades of red: The Red Floor, which houses the Library's meeting spaces, is one of the most photographed spaces in the Library. Try to identify all 13 shades of red used on the walls, ceilings, and stairs; spy on Level 3 through the screened windows; and read "Robert's Rules of Order," which is printed along the continuous hallway.
Print, scan or ask a question: Central Library architect Rem Koolhaas envisioned the Mixing Chamber on Level 5 (just up the chartreuse escalator from Level 3) as a trading floor for information. Use one of the many public computers on the floor or the free ScanEZ to scan, fax, scan to audio, or translate documents; or ask a question, any question, at the QIC Information Center, the heart of the Library's reference services.
Learn about Libraries for All. In 1998, 70% of Seattle voters approved the $196.4 "Libraries for All" bond measure that led to the construction of the current Central Library as well as 26 new or updated branches across the city. On the far wall of the Mixing Chamber, near the stairway to the Books Spiral, you can see a list of donors who gave $500 or more through The Seattle Public Library Foundation to support Libraries for All between 1997 and 2007.
The nonfiction spiral ramp is posted with large Dewey Decimal numbers
Walk the Books Spiral: The nonfiction Books Spiral is one of the Central Library's most innovative features, four stories of books you can access by walking the wheelchair-accessible ramp that winds around and up Levels 6 through 9.
View portraits of Real Change vendors: The Central Library is home to an art gallery on Level 8, which rotates exhibits throughout the year. Currently on display is "Stories of the Street," a moving and beautiful exhibit by local artists with portraits and stories of Real Change vendors.
Book a music room: Make an appointment to practice your musical instrument in one of two practice rooms, on Level 8 next to the gallery, and one of the few free practice rooms in the city. Each is equipped with a digital piano. Or just linger at the gallery, and listen for an impromptu, free concert.
Research your family history: Did you know that the Central Library is home to a large public collection for family history and genealogical research? You can even make a free genealogy appointment to get help from one of our genealogy librarians! Learn more at spl.org/genealogy.
Read with a view: Head up the Books Spiral to the Betty Jane Narver Reading Room on Level 10, a light- and view-filled sanctuary with tables and chairs to sit and work, study and read.
Visit the Seattle Room: Make an appointment to research Northwest culture and history using a wealth of resource materials in the Seattle Room, open by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The view down from Level 10

And a bonus: Look waaaaaay down: Near the Seattle Room, visit the highest point in the Library, where you can see down to Level 3, as well as out to Elliott Bay. From here you can see how the building is designed as a series of stacked platforms, which are offset in a way that captures natural light and shade and offers unique views of the city.